From the SPA
By Christine Foster

Heroes wanted

Okay, first some statistics. According to the Humane Society of the United States, seven million healthy and adoptable pets are put to sleep each year. More than half of these are cats and kittens.

Roughly 10,000 human babies are born every day in the States. On the same day 40,000 kittens will also become US citizens, some for a very short time. There may never be enough homes for all needy cats but we can help by pledging to do two things: spay or neuter all our pets and adopt a cat or kitten from a shelter.

Cats in shelters are no different from the ones curled up on your friend’s couch or windowsill. They weren’t rejected because they were “bad.” Cats and kittens are there because they have irresponsible owners, or no owners at all.

If you take home a cat or kitten from SPA, you’re allowing us to rescue another pet. So even though the cats in our care are not kept a limited time and then destroyed, you are still saving a life—the life of the new resident we can take into protection. This makes the adoptive parent just as much of a Hero as if he or she rescued a kitten from the traffic, or from a natural disaster like Katrina.

It’s kitten season now and we have a beautiful selection, but for many people with active lives who are not home all day, an adult cat is the perfect pet. They are also a better fit for families with small children. Toddlers may mean well, but they often think the new kitten is a toy and may end up making her nervous and skittish around people.

Other reasons to choose adults include the fact that they become fast friends with their new owners just as easily as kittens. They are also already house-trained, neutered, fully vaccinated and have strong immune systems. They may even adapt to a new home better and more quickly than a kitten. Ask anybody who has adopted an adult cat and they’ll swear they are surprised by the strength of the bond they feel. And why not? The cat has been through some sad days. You’ve opened your heart and home, and that makes you a Hero in their eyes, too.

Two of our cats who are exceptionally deserving and would make wonderful companions are pictured here. Both came to us as kittens. Todd was one of an abandoned litter of six that I fostered at home until they were old enough to be in the shelter. He was my favorite—cheeky, inquisitive, playful and affectionate. Leslie is the last of a litter of three black males.

 His brothers have both found wonderful homes, but this handsome, graceful, intelligent boy is still waiting. Either of these neutered, healthy young fellows could be your friend for life and you could be their Hero. 

The Sociedad Protectora de Animales is open from noon–2pm, Monday–Friday for adoptions and volunteers. A donation of 300 pesos is requested for adoption and includes sterilization. We are located at Los Pinos 7, a right turn off Calzada de la Estación. Visit www.spasanmiguel.org  to learn more about SPA and how to sponsor or adopt an animal.